The short version is that you want a strong and diverse job market, low unemployment rates, a growing population, low vacancy rates and new development, affordability/cost of living, real estate laws and court system, good schools, and low crime.Check out the videos from Dave Meyers with BiggerPockets.

'I came to the area about 1 year ago and certainly the growth, the incomes, the diversity, all the good stuff was apparent.

The Yale Law Journal article, "Zoned Out: How Zoning Law Undermines Family Law’s Functional Turn," highlights this issue, noting that while family law has evolved to recognize diverse family structures, zoning laws have lagged behind, potentially hindering innovative housing solutions like co-living.Challenges for Co-Living InvestorsFor real estate investors interested in co-living, these restrictive definitions can lead to:Legal Barriers: Difficulty obtaining permits or approvals for co-living spaces due to non-compliance with traditional family definitions in zoning codes.Operational Challenges: Potential fines or legal disputes arising from housing arrangements that don't conform to local zoning definitions of a household.Market Limitations: Reduced ability to meet the growing demand for affordable, shared housing solutions.Advocacy for ReformThe Bloomberg article, "Why Are Zoning Laws Defining What Constitutes a Family?"

It’s fascinating how land can offer such diverse strategies—from flipping parcels quickly to holding for years and letting appreciation do the work.How do you assess a piece of land’s long-term potential?

I think the economy has a number of diverse employment options, lower prices than King County while still being within driving distance.  

Great points, ZharaBirmingham has relatively steady and diverse rental demand, and I’ve seen many investors I work with have success with C/B class buy-and-holds.Location is key—areas near UAB, major employers, and popular suburbs tend to have the strongest rental demand, while C/D class markets offer solid affordable housing and Section 8 opportunities.

It is very stable and diverse.

My name is [Your Name], and I'm a licensed architect with a passion for turning ordinary properties into extraordinary investments.A Bit About Me:Architect & Investor: With over 10 years of architectural experience, I've had the privilege of designing and revitalizing a diverse range of properties—from cozy residential homes to bustling commercial spaces.

Atlanta is a strong multi-family market with a diverse economy, a growing population, and increasing demand for rental properties.

Where to get the most recent and accurate data for things like:Unemployment dataPopulation growthJob diversity and top employers in the areaVacancy rates (eg huduser.org)Property taxes and jnsurance costsI saw bp pro and reventure and a bunch of other websites provide some of this data, but i wonder how accurate and recent it is.